NHVR accreditation review targets heavy vehicle safety

The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) has commissioned an independent review into heavy vehicle accreditation schemes to support improved road safety.

NHVR CEO, Sal Petroccitto, has said the independent review would inform future structural and operational improvements in the schemes.

“Heavy vehicle accreditation schemes have proven benefits for road safety across a number of heavy vehicle sectors, including trucks, cranes and buses,” said Petroccitto.

“The national roadworthiness survey released earlier this year showed major non-conformities for vehicles in accreditation schemes dropped from 13 per cent to nine per cent.

“That said, I believe it is time to independently review the systems and processes to ensure they deliver the future safety outcomes our growing industry requires.

“The review will look at a range of factors, including governance and oversight, rules and standards, as well as examining associated assurance activities.

“I’ve also asked for feedback on the safety merits of requiring operators that sub-contract on government infrastructure projects to be accredited,” he said.

According to the NHVR, the review will begin with a marketplace scan to identify the best practice approach for accreditation schemes, and identify inconsistencies that exist between schemes.

The independent review will examine schemes such as Western Australian Heavy Vehicle Accreditation and the NHVR’s National Heavy Vehicle Accreditation Scheme, as well as industry schemes such as TruckSafe. The review will also take into account relevant experience from overseas.

The independent review will be conducted by highly qualified transport expert Peter Medlock and is expected to take up to eight weeks to complete.

Petroccitto has welcomed the support of Transport and Infrastructure Minister, Darren Chester, who recently outlined several key investments to improve heavy vehicle safety.

“I believe an independent review will give operators the confidence to adopt or continue utilising accreditation schemes,” said Petroccitto.

“I also want to ensure the operators have options to strengthen or develop safety management systems ahead of new Primary Duty requirements and Chain of Responsibility laws coming in mid-2018,” he said.